With that final roar of indignation, the figure that had caused countless people to tremble in fear finally vanished amidst the combined power of Heavenly Punishment and Lightning Tribulation!
His physical form was reduced to ash; his soul dissipated into nothingness!
Ling Qianjue... was dead!
The number one genius who had plotted within the Qingtian Domain for millennia had finally fallen at the very threshold of godhood.
At the moment of Ling Qianjue's demise, Qi Ping—aided by his sharp perception and special connection to the domain—felt a surge of unique power erupt from that location, beginning its return to the world...
Under the influence of this energy, Qi Ping could clearly sense the power of heaven and earth within the Qingtian Domain strengthening significantly.
However, the most obvious change was not the power itself, but the sudden leap in the world's vitality. Previously, the Qingtian Domain was like a decrepit, dying elder; now, it was as if it had suddenly regained its youth, brimming with new life.
Qi Ping could even clearly detect the leylines, mountains, and rivers of the domain shifting and strengthening. In several locations, natural treasures had already begun to take shape!
'Good heavens. Just how much did this old fossil siphon from the land? To think his death and return to the world could trigger such a massive backlash of feedback.'
'But it makes sense. This old fellow likely devoured the natural treasures and geniuses of the domain for thousands of years. He didn't even spare the Envoy Lin Wuji. It's no wonder the transformation is this profound.'
What Qi Ping did not yet know was that there was another reason for this surge: Ling Qianjue had also captured people and resources from several neighboring domains over the years. Now, all of that had been "bequeathed" to the Qingtian Domain.
In truth, if Ling Qianjue had successfully achieved Deity Transformation, the benefits he could have brought to the domain would have been immense. However, what the domain would have become under his thumb was unknown. Just as his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage had provided some growth, the thousands of years that followed saw him drive the domain into a deep decline. It could only be said that for the Qingtian Domain, Ling Qianjue's breakthrough would have been a curse rather than a blessing.
Beyond resolving the threat posed by this old man laden with heavy karma, Qi Ping also reaped massive personal benefits!
First, of course, was the strengthening of the domain itself. Since Qi Ping's level of control was relative to the domain's total power, if the world grew tenfold, his combat power would similarly increase tenfold.
Secondly, by removing such a massive tumor, Qi Ping's degree of authority over the Qingtian Domain rose by another significant margin. If he were to fight Ling Qianjue again now, winning would be far easier; he wouldn't have to struggle nearly as much as before.
Furthermore, his Heaven-Earth Favor and Power of Qi Fortune had both grown considerably.
A large part of this boost also came from slaying the Envoy Lin Wuji. It could be said that after this battle, Qi Ping had made a fortune. Not only did his overall strength soar alongside the domain, but he could also claim a vast sum of Black Market points for killing an Envoy of Lin Wuji's status—enough to buy almost anything he desired.
He was the undisputed winner of this war.
'From this day forth, there are no enemies left within the Qingtian Domain who can threaten me!'
'Next, I can focus on solving the internal issues and truly developing this land.'
Thinking of this, a unique sense of satisfaction rose in Qi Ping's heart.
However, when he turned his gaze toward the Celestial Alliance headquarters and sensed the several Nascent Soul cultivators hovering nearby like hungry wolves, his expression darkened once more.
'Keeping this place safe won't be an easy task.'
But no matter what, this was a land Qi Ping was determined to protect. In this cultivation world where resources were scarce, enemies were everywhere, and "god-level" masterminds treated the world like a pasture to be harvested, this was currently his best and most certain chance to pursue longevity.
The fastest way Qi Ping could think of to increase his strength was to accelerate the development of the Qingtian Domain and the growth of his animal companions. He already had the basic methods for this.
Moreover, the opportunity to awaken his new Druid class had finally arrived.
'I expect the formal awakening will happen within the month!'
Outside, after witnessing Ling Qianjue's fall with their own eyes, the entire world fell into a hushed silence, broken only by the fading rumbles of thunder.
What it meant for silence to be deafening was perfectly demonstrated in this moment.
Until a single voice shattered the quiet.
"Ling Qianjue is dead? ...Senior Bee Daoist succeeded!"
In that instant, the numerous cultivators witnessing the event erupted into cheers. They had just seen the pinnacle battle of their lives—an event they would never forget.
"Senior Bee Daoist really did it! I knew it! Hahahahaha!"
"I told you! The Senior never does anything without absolute certainty!"
"Heavens... someone truly managed to forcibly enter another person's Heavenly Tribulation and slay a formidable enemy!"
By this feat alone, Qi Ping was destined to become famous across the world.
Looking at the black-clad figure bathed in the remnants of the lightning, everyone realized that from this moment on, the heavens of the Qingtian Domain had changed.
Although the vast tribulation had not yet ceased—and the even stronger lightning triggered by Qi Ping's intrusion continued to strike him—this seemed to be the immutable law of the Dao itself.
Yet, no one doubted whether Qi Ping could survive it. The moment he had charged into the lightning to slay Ling Qianjue, his invincible image as the Bee Daoist had been firmly etched into everyone's hearts.
Furthermore, several individuals suddenly felt a spark of divine inspiration, as if some sort of fortune had descended upon them.
Wang He, Han Li, Zhang Daniu, Meng Yan... and many ordinary cultivators felt it. They looked at each other and realized that many people were experiencing the same sensation.
For a cultivator, such a feeling was never without cause. Its arrival almost guaranteed that something auspicious had happened. With so many people feeling it simultaneously, the reality of the event was confirmed. Their instincts were correct; just now, as Qi Ping felt a surge of Power of Living Beings from these people, he had casually cast the Mountain-River Favor upon them. These individuals were excellent "seeds" for producing continuous Power of Living Beings, and they had to be nurtured. As long as he had enough of that power, Qi Ping was, in a sense, immortal.
Those blessed by the Mountain-River Favor were nearly certain that this had to be the work of the Bee Daoist! Currently, only he possessed the ability to influence so many people at once.
They looked back at the blood-stained, black-clad figure. In their hearts, the Bee Daoist's image had ascended to an infinite height.
As they expected, facing the mounting thunder, Qi Ping felt no pressure at all. He simply used the power of the land to funnel the lightning into the leylines of the Qingtian Domain.
This was a sudden inspiration. Instead of letting the power of a Deity Transformation tribulation go to waste, he would use it to temper the mountains and rivers. He had once read in a record that the tribulation power of a cultivator could benefit the land. Though the record wasn't detailed and was mostly speculative, Qi Ping's experiment confirmed it. As the lightning swept through the earth, the leyline power indeed grew more concentrated and robust.
Given that he had recently broken the siphoning array and that thousands of years of accumulated energy were returning to the land, it was a critical moment for transformation. The infusion of Deity Transformation lightning served as the perfect catalyst. Combined with Ling Qianjue's death—which returned his entire cultivation's essence to the world—it was the ideal time for the leylines to evolve.
Qi Ping increased the guidance of the lightning. He sacrificed the Mountain-River Seal above his head, using the power of the land to form a vortex that split the lightning, channeling it directly into the domain's leylines.
The tribulation in the sky did not change in response; instead, it seemed to cooperate with Qi Ping's actions.
Under the baptism of this lightning—which was even stronger than a standard Deity Transformation tribulation—the Mountain-River Seal was the first to benefit. Tempered by the land and the lightning, its divine charm grew stronger, and its texture and Dao-patterns enhanced rapidly. Its rank ascended at an incredible speed, and the Power of Qi Fortune it carried grew even heavier.
This sight filled Qi Ping with joy. He had used the Mountain-River Seal for a long time and had grown very fond of it. It was versatile, sturdy, and powerful, able to resonate perfectly with his spells. Of all the artifacts he had used, none felt as natural as this seal. It complemented his Lord of Mountains and Rivers talent perfectly. When unleashed with full force, it could strike with the weight of an entire world—a raw, powerful style that suited his preferences.
Simultaneously, as the lightning continuously flowed through the seal into the earth, it was transformed into a gentler form of thunder. It tempered and stimulated the leylines of the Qingtian Domain, causing the earth's foundation to grow and evolve at an incredible pace.
The Earth-Vein Ant Queen and her swarm, living within the leylines, also reaped massive benefits. They acted as master builders within the earth, clearing obstructions while raising the quality ceiling of the leylines. Since they were creatures tied to the earth, the improvement of the leylines allowed their bloodline power to strengthen in tandem.
In this battle, besides Qi Ping himself, the Earth-Vein Ants were the companions who gained the most.
As the lightning continued, the rapidly ascending leylines finally reached a critical threshold!
A clear, resonant hum of the earth rang out. Under the combined influence of the returning energy, the ants, the lightning, and the world-feedback, the leylines of the Qingtian Domain broke through to Rank 4 without any resistance!
The fragmented leylines of the domain finally fused into a single, unified whole. With the Rank 4 core area acting as a pivot, a massive cycle of leyline power was formed!
At that moment, the domain's power spiked once more, and the Earth-Vein Ant Queen ascended to Rank 4 almost simultaneously!
Most cultivators didn't understand what this omen meant, only guessing it was a good thing related to Senior Bee Daoist. But those with knowledge and experience felt an overwhelming sense of joy!
This was the omen of a Great Leyline Bloom! Such a phenomenon usually only occurred in powerful, rising domains. This bloom would bring fortune to almost every cultivator in the domain.
The moment the earth hummed, the hidden Nascent Soul cultivators hovering on the borders felt a surge of greed. They could clearly sense that this was a Rank 4 leyline!
To a Deity Transformation expert, a Rank 4 leyline might not be much, but to a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was the hope of ascension. No one could resist such a temptation.
After the leylines reached Rank 4, the tribulation did not last much longer. Soon, it faded away. The rapid growth of the earth's power slowed, but it did not stop. Under the busy work of the ants, the journey of strengthening had only just begun. With their help, this blessing would last a long time!
Qi Ping, sensing the breakthrough to Rank 4 and the unification of the land, felt a surge of surprise. His degree of control over the Qingtian Domain had risen again! The power of the world had spiked!
With this Rank 4 leyline, he could transplant a spiritual vein here and have it quickly grow into a Rank 4 spiritual vein. This would benefit every cultivator in the domain, helping them break through quickly. The more people who advanced here, the faster the domain would strengthen.
With this Rank 4 leyline as his bargaining chip, he could attract more cultivators to the Qingtian Domain to practice and breakthrough, completing a positive cycle of growth. If this leyline fell into the hands of others, they would hoard it as their own foundation for Deity Transformation. But Qi Ping intended to do the opposite—he would use it to bless those who could provide him with Power of Living Beings.
Of course, this wouldn't be free. Those who wished to cultivate here would have to pay a price—spirit stones, or perhaps the spirit herbs and seeds Qi Ping needed most. The "Great Planting Project" of the Qingtian Domain could finally begin!
With this Rank 4 leyline connecting the entire domain, Qi Ping had many more cards to play. What made him happiest was that he could now attempt to set up a "Super Array" covering the entire domain, turning the Qingtian Domain into an impregnable fortress!
But before that, there was one thing he had to do: clear out those who were eyeing this place. He had sensed several Nascent Soul auras around the domain, and after the leylines ascended, their greed was palpable. How could he tolerate that?
After the lightning vanished, Qi Ping's figure, radiating a world-suppressing aura, took a step forward. A terrifying surge of power swept through all four directions!
Then, a calm voice containing a vast killing intent rang out:
"I shall give you all ten breaths to leave. Otherwise... you shall stay here forever!"